What is Science

data

Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.

variable

A factor that can change in an experiment

hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

controlled experiment

An experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time.

Manipulated variable

The one factor that a scientist changes during an experiment; also called independent variable.

predicting

Making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence

scientific inquiry

The ongoing process of discovery in science, the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence they gather.

inferring

explaining or interpreting the things you observe

responding variable

factor in an experiment that a scientist wants to observe, which may change in response to the manipulated variable; also known as a dependent variable

science

A way of learning about the natural world

science theory

a possible explanation for repeatedly observed patterns in nature supported by observations and results from many investigations.

observing

using one or more of your senses to gather information